Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 5 December 2003 — Page 9

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Order of Service Religion

B SECTION FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2003

SPIRITUAL OUTLOOK

When Hie holidays hurl By PASTOR DAVID A. HAMPTON

As we are fully engaged in the holiday season, what is intended to be a happy time for some can be a hurtful time foroth-

w

ers.

It is a time in which we remember loved ones who may have passed, struggle with unem-

ployment, experience marital and family issues, loneliness, and a whole host of related issues. What can one do when the holidays hurt? Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6-8, “Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God ... will guard your hearts and minds through Christ

Jesus.

Let us not underestimate the power of prayer. God certainly hears the prayers of the righteous and God responds to his children. If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, there is no time like the present. What a wonderful gift during the holidays - the gift of salvation. It is free and doesn’t cost a thing. You can’t get it at Saks Fifth Avenue, you can’t charge it on your Master Card or Visa. The price has already been paid by Jesus Christ on the cross by his

blood.

But what can be done practically to help when problems are present in our lives? First, understand that problems are tools that God can use to build us, not break us. Due to the fact that we live in a fallen world, plagued by evil, we are subject to pain and problems due to sin. However, as Satan intends to break us, God turns evil around and blesses us. Problems expose areas of growth. An x-ray can expose a hidden problem that needs correcting. God can use pains, hurts, and problems in our lives to expose hidden areas that need correcting, From that perspective, we can thank God for revealing where the problem is so that it can be fixed. Much of what we deal with stems from unresolved issues of the past. If we can pinpoint the problem and admit to it, we have won half of the battle just by recognizing it. If you are in an estranged relationship, or may be upset with a friend or loved one, try' to be the bigger person and approach them. Your efforts may not succeed, however, at least you did what would please God - you tried. Next, understand that God can use problems to propel us and adversity to advance us. Consider how many fruits and vegetables are cultivated with the use of fertilizer. Often, fertilizer consists of animal waste. I low can something so nutritious and healthy come from the waste of animals? Well, in life sometimes God must take us through some nasty “stufT in order to help us grow. The longer it takes for us to learn from our mistakes, the longer we will have to deal with the “stuff.” Hebrews 5:12-14 teaches us to be mature inChrist through God’s word, however, we don’t grow when we don’t listen tot lod’s voice and pay attention to our circumstances. Are you going through marital difficulties? If so, what responsibility are you willing to take its opposed to blaming your spouse for everything? What changes are you willing to make within yourself? That’s growth. It is easy to be kind to those who are kind to you, but can you be kind in the midst of mistreatment from others? ► Set OUTLOOK, Page B3

Television Judge Joe Brown to kick off major celebration at Bethel A.M.E.

Oldest Black church in city will celebrate 167 years By BRANDON A. PERRY Staff Writer Indianapolis'own Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church has plenty to celebrate during the month of December, given the congregation’s rich cultural legacy and steady growth. Bethel’s members are asking the community to join them in honoring 167 years of accomplishments in the areas of ministry and social service. The church has planned a full weekend of activities, beginning on Friday, Dec. 12 with a kick-off dinner at 6:30 p.m. at the Marriott East Hotel (21st and Shadeland Avenue). A special message will be delivered by Joe Brown, the popular and plain-spoken Cali-

fornia-based judge who has a daily television program on the ABC network. Organizers at the dinner said an interactive question and answer session will follow Judge Brow n’s address. Rev. John L. Lambert, pastor of Bethel, outlined the congregation’s reason for inviting Brown. "Having Judge Brown as the kick-off speaker is a signal to the community,” he said. "The role of the church is not only to be a place of Sunday worship and praise to God. Its mission is also to reach out in concern, in commitment and in a willingness to wrestle with the many day to day issues that often interfere with our challenge as Christians to show love and care for each other.” Rev. Lambert, who has served Bethel since 2000, added that the issues which surface on Judge Brown’s television show are many

of the same issues that confront people even,- day from society as a whole. “God has a role in the resolution of these issues, if we allow

him," Rev. Lambert continued. "We must never forget that God's overall message is not only historical hut contemporarv and futuristic as well. Other anniversarv activities will include a "Worship and (iospel Explosion" Dec. I t at pan. at Bethel, 414 W. Vermont St. The speaker during that evening will he Rev. Gerald M. Dew, pastor of Chicago’s Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, along with his choir and congregation. On Dec. 14 at 11 a.m. the anniversarv Celebration will conclude with a morning worship service featuring Rev. Robert Kirk Sr., presiding elder. South District of the Indiana Conference of the A.M.E. Church. A donation to attend the Friday night kick-off dinner is Shy per person or 8500 for a table of eight. Attendees can also participate in the historicevent bychoos-

ing to donate one dollar for even year of Bethel’s existenee. a total of Sidy. (8100 of that donation is tax deduetible) I'ickets can he obtained at Bethel or at the Walker Beauty Salon in the Walker Building located on the corner of Indiana Avenue and West Street. Established in IK.'Jh, Bethel A.M.E. is the oldest AfricanAmerican congregation in Indianapolis. The church is on the National Registerof Historic Places, and receives a steady How of visitors each year because of its connection with many oft he AfricanAmerican community’s most difficult times in history. A series of documents indicate that various members of Bethel worked with the legendary Underground Railroad to assist runaway slaves taking up residence ► See BETHEL, Page B3

Popular CincinnaN minister h) share ideas in Indianapolis

By BRANDON A. PERRY Staff Writer Rev. Damon Lynch III, a Cincinnati pastor and community activist, has been invited to speak here this weekend by the Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center (INRC). Rev. Lynch will facilitate the Spirit and Practice of AssetBased Community Development (ABCD) workshop Tuesday, Dec. 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the INRC, located at 1802 N. Illinois St. “The focus of this workshop is a discussion on how the ABCD community-building approach is making a difference in neighborhoods across America and how the principles of ABCD can be used to initiate positive changes in Indianapolis neighborhoods,” said Nicole R. Alexander, se-

nior communications associate for the INRC. “We invited Rev. Lynch because he has been on the forefront of Cincinnati’s movement for social change and major voice of opposition for the city’s racial issues. Rev. Lynch said he accepted the invitation at the urging of John McKinght, a friend and mentor from Northwestern University and a member of the ABCD faculty. McKnight was originally scheduled to come but couldn’t make it. “I agreed to come because Mr. McKnight asked me to, but secondly, I’m extremely interested in rebuilding and building neighborhoods,” said Rev. Lynch. “It’s what I do here in Cincinnati and it’s the same training that I have given all over the country.” Rev. Lynch, 43, is pastor of the 1,500 member Prospect Baptist Church in Cincinnati’s Over-the-

The ministry of Rev. Damon Lynch III (center) involves a crusade of justice and community development. (Photo/Cincinnati Enquirer)

Rhine area and president of the Black United Front, a community serv ice and social awareness organization. The son, grandson and nephew of Baptist ministers has gained the attention of observers with his progressive, ac-

tivist style of ministry. "I preach individual salvation, but I also preach collectiv e work and community building,” Rev. Lynch said during a previous interview with the Cincinnati publication City Beat. "If you save

somebody’s soul and they die today, well, great. They’re going to heaven. If you save their soul and they live another 20 years in poverty. your work’s not done. I get ► See LYNCH, Page B4

IN THE SPIRIT

Voices of Triumph are members of Lawrence Central High School.

Choir director Oshea Otis (speaking), evoked the spirit of the Lord during a devotional segment of the event. (Photos/J. Hurst)

Girls and Boys for Christ is an organization that was created to boost the self-esteem of youth and show them that God is the answer to their questions and concerns. Founder, Roberta James has made it her mission to be a positive role model in the

lives of the youth. girls," saiil James.

By ERICKA P. THOMPSON Staff Writer The low self-esteem and the need for God in the lives of Indianapolis youth is what prompted Roberta James to start Girls and Boys for Christ. "The Lord gave me the idea out of my love for young hoys and girls and my concern for them getting the right kind of information while they are growing up," stated James. "I noticed that a lot of times the youth receive information from their peers and a lot times it is wrong. And 1 figured the earlier we can equip them with the right answers to a lot of their questions then it would aid them into making better decisions and choices.” The most asked question James has received from the young ladies is about hoys. “Most of the girls want to know what do hoys want and the same goes for the hoys, they want to know what girls want," she said. "They also want to know the proper way to interact with each other." Since 2001, James had made it her mission to he a positive role model in the lives ofyouth and position other individuals in their lives to he a good influence. too. During the weekend of Dec. 5-7. James is holding her annual Youth Empowerment Conference for the Girls for Christ at the old Fort Benjamin I larrison and hopes to lift their self-esteem in the process. "We re going to have seminars where Christian women are going to come and share good information with the

On Fridav night the girls will pamper themselves with mam cures and pedicures and will he taught win thev are too voimg to

wear makeup.

"We will educate the girls on

proper In game and heautv tips on how to take care of their skin because all tin 1 young ladies want to wear makeup, hut we have to explain to them win thev can t, said James. We also have Man ► See GIRLS AND BOYS, Page B4